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October 27, 1994

University kicks off United Way campaign

Pitt's 1994 United Way giving campaign kicked off on Oct. 24 with a goal of $450,000, an increase of 20 percent over last year's total.

To help encourage participation in the campaign, Chancellor J. Dennis O'Connor will host a reception today (Oct. 27) at which he will appeal to the University's leadership to set an example of giving to the United Way.

"The United Way is really something that reaches into everyone's household directly or indirectly," said Dennis Donham, assistant vice chancellor for Student Affairs and one of the co-chairs of the campaign. "This is an opportunity for people at the University of Pittsburgh to say that they care about the community." A number of changes have been enacted for this year's drive, starting with a shorter drive period. The 1994 campaign will run for only four weeks, ending on Nov. 23.

This year also, former Pitt employees are being encouraged to participate in the campaign through a new retiree program and, in an effort to have all pledge cards returned, prizes will be awarded through a drawing of pledge cards.

An early-bird drawing will be conducted for all staff and faculty members who return their pledge cards by Nov. 9 and a final card drawing on Nov. 23. Everybody who returns their pledge card will be eligible to win a variety of prizes, whether or not they donate to the campaign.

Promised prizes so far include tickets for Steelers, Penguins and Pitt Panther games, parking spaces and preferred parking spaces, a dictionary, Pitt memorabilia, a Holiday Inn weekend, lunch for two at Foster's Bar and Grill, hats autographed by Steelers Andre Hasting and Tim McKyer, two pairs of tickets to the Pitt Jazz Concert, a one-year membership in the Pitt Club, dental prophylaxis and a 1992 Penguins Stanley Cup Championship team photograph singed by Mario Lemieux.

"Regardless whether people are going to give or not, if they return their card early they'll be in an early drawing and if they return it later they'll be in the overall drawing," said Donham. "We think that will add a little bit of interest and excitement. Also, it is a way for us to thank people for helping." Cards for the United Way campaign will be distributed to University departments and units by unit coordinators and responsibility center leaders.

As in previous years, Pitt employees may contribute to the fund drive through payroll deduction, as well as with cash, check or credit card. Donor options, which allow contributors to earmark their money for particular organizations or causes, also will be available.

–Mike Sajna

Filed under: Feature,Volume 27 Issue 5

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